Belize City's Must-See Attractions For Your Itinerary

Belize City is the largest city in Belize and is often the first touchpoint for travellers as it hosts the country's only international airport. While there aren't many top tourist attractions in the downtown core, there are plenty of things to do near the city.

Belize City is known for its colonial architecture, lively shopping districts, beachfront amusement parks, and a flotilla of graceful sailboats. The city is divided into two areas: the north side, which is considered the safest and most prosperous area, and the south side, which has a few tourist attractions, including the historic St. John's Cathedral and the House of Culture.

- Haulover Creek: The main waterway that splits the city in two. Head towards the coast to find the historic centre and the Swing Bridge.

- Museum of Belize: Head northeast from the Swing Bridge to visit the Museum of Belize, which features Mayan relics and various exhibits.

- St. John's Cathedral: Tour the oldest Anglican Church in Central America and admire its British colonial architecture.

- The Government House: One of Belize's most preserved colonial buildings, this was once used to host foreign dignitaries and as the residence of the Governor-General of Belize.

- Belize Zoo: Known as the best little zoo in the world, the Belize Zoo is home to rescued animals native to Belize that roam free in large enclosures replicating their natural environment.

- Altun Ha: One of Belize's most visited archaeological sites, this Maya temple is featured on the national beer.

- Goffs Caye: A perfect spot for a picnic, Goffs Caye offers fresh BBQ lobster, conch, and fish, as well as snorkelling opportunities to see marine wildlife and colourful corals.

- Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley: Offering the best snorkelling experience in Belize, you can see pristine coral gardens and swim with marine wildlife such as sea turtles, nurse sharks, stingrays, and colourful fish.

- Xunantunich: An impressive archaeological site about an hour away from Belize City, featuring the main temple El Castillo, which offers spectacular views of nearby villages and Guatemalan mountains.

- Cave Tubing and Zip-lining: A popular cruise excursion, combining swimming/floating with cave exploration and soaring above the rainforest canopy.

Explore Old Belize Beach

Old Belize Beach is a man-made beach located a couple of miles outside Belize City, west towards the Belize River. It is a convenient spot for day cruise ship passengers to visit and can be reached by renting a motor scooter.

Old Belize is a cultural exhibit experienced via a whimsical light rail transit, which offers an insight into Belize's ecological, archaeological, industrial, and political history. The tour is available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin, and focuses on the untold stories of Belize.

The beach itself is a 350-foot stretch of soft sand called Kukumba Beach. It is dotted with thatched-roof huts and colourful lounge chairs. There is a range of water-based activities to enjoy, including a 50-foot slide, a Tarzan rope swing, and water trampoline inflatables.

The Old Belize Food Market is a new dining experience, offering an array of delicious food options in an open-air space with a view of Kukumba Beach. There is also a full-service marina offering wet and dry dockage, water, electricity, WiFi, fuel, lubricants, laundry service, garbage disposal, and 24/7 security.

Old Belize also features a museum with exhibits on the history of Belize, including the Mayan civilisation, the logging and chicle (chewing gum) industries, and a recreation of a street in colonial Belize. The museum leads into a gift shop selling local crafts and souvenirs. There is also a restaurant with views of the harbour and Kukumba Beach, serving reasonably priced dishes such as shrimp Alfredo pasta and a Mexican chorizo burger.

Visit the Museum of Belize

Belize City is the country's former capital and its largest city. While it may not be the first destination for most visitors, it is worth exploring. The Museum of Belize is located in the downtown tourist area in a safe part of the city. It is housed in a former prison, a brick building constructed in 1857. The museum is reasonably priced, with a nominal entry fee, and has some of the best air conditioning in the city. The museum has exhibits on the history of Belize, including the colonial era and slavery, as well as piracy, birds, and insects. There is also a temporary exhibit of art by Belizean contemporary artist Pen Cayetano. The museum can be covered in about 1-2 hours.

Tour St. John's Cathedral

St. John's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral Church of St. John the Baptist, is an Anglican cathedral located in the heart of Belize City. It is one of the few physical remnants of the country's long history as a British colony. The cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Belize and the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Belize.

The cathedral was constructed between 1812 and 1820 using bricks that had previously been used as ballast on ships. It was the first church built in the colony of British Honduras and served as the Church of England's headquarters in Central America. St. John's Church was elevated to cathedral status in 1891, a few years after the Diocese of Belize was established.

St. John's Cathedral is a historic landmark that reflects the colonial influence of Belize's past. Attached to the church is the oldest cemetery in the country, Yarborough Cemetery, which was built by the British using slave labour.

The exterior of the cathedral is made of brick, while the interior is furnished with mahogany and sapodilla. The interior also features an antique pipe organ and colonial-era tombstones. The cathedral is open daily from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm for worship or visits, and there is no entrance fee.

To get to St. John's Cathedral, head to the historic downtown area of Belize City. The cathedral is located in the southeastern part of the city, just a few hundred feet north of the coastline, at the intersection of Albert and Regent Streets. It sits directly across from the House of Culture.

View the Belize Sign Monument

The Belize Sign Monument is a must-see for any visitor to Belize City with an active presence on social media. The monument is formed from big, boldly coloured letters in a rounded font and is located near the Baron Bliss Lighthouse. It is one of the most popular Belize City attractions, and you can take a picture in front of it to prove to your friends and family that you visited Belize.

The monument is within walking distance of the cruise port and the lighthouse, and it is also near the famous Swing Bridge, the only manually operated bridge of its kind in the world. The Belize Sign Monument offers a lovely view of the Caribbean Sea and much of historic downtown Belize City.

The north side of Belize City, where the monument is located, is considered the safest and most prosperous area of the city centre. Good hotels, casinos, and the Museum of Belize are located in this zone, as are the cruise ship and marine terminals.

There are several tour options that include a visit to the Belize Sign Monument, such as:

• Private Altun Ha Ruins with Rum factory & Belize sign from Belize City
• Rainforest Zip Line Adventure & Belize sign & Rum Factory from Belize City
• Altun Ha Maya Ruin and Cave Tubing from Belize City
• Altun Ha Lost City of The Maya
• Private Xunantunich Mayan Ruin with local Lunch from Belize City

Experience the Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo is a non-profit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility, and the oldest of its kind in Belize. It is located roughly halfway between Belmopan and Belize City, and is accessible by car, bus, or tour. The zoo is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Saturday, and 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Sundays, with last admissions an hour before closing.

The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who was left with a handful of wild animals that had been used in a natural history documentary. Forty years later, the zoo has become a world-renowned wildlife education centre, with over 45,000 visitors annually. The zoo is also the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to persons with physical disabilities.

The zoo's 30-acre facility houses over 150 animals, representing 43 native species, including keel-billed toucans, scarlet macaws, tapirs, jaguars, spider monkeys, and Belize's five species of wild cats. The habitats designed for the animals reflect their natural settings, providing an immersive educational experience for visitors.

The zoo offers a variety of tours, including a nocturnal tour, a private tour, and the "Lindo Link" experience, where visitors can get up close and personal with a rescued jaguar named "Lindo". The zoo also has a Tropical Education Centre, located a mile up the road, which provides accommodation and meals.

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